Charity to mark X-mas on Dec 16

THE MADHYA Pradesh-Chhattisgarh Christian Forum is celebrating Christmas on December 16 at the Police Stadium grounds from 2 pm. Its objective is to enlist services of donors for the cause of poor and needy children.

THE MADHYA Pradesh-Chhattisgarh Christian Forum is celebrating Christmas on December 16 at the Police Stadium grounds from 2 pm. Its objective is to enlist services of donors for the cause of poor and needy children.

Forum’s president Indira Iyengar has appealed to the people to bring whatever gifts they can for the “children of a lesser god”.

The idea of Charismas celebration at the police parade ground was the brainchild of Mother Teresa. ‘Christmas with a difference’ was the biggest and memorable gift that she gave to the people of Bhopal.

The Mother’s Christmas commenced by gifting to the hapless slum children. Her motto was to ‘give till it hurts’. Iyengar said the Mother stayed at her Jehangirabad house where she gathered a large number of slum children.

With the passage of time, the Mother endorsed the idea of arranging sports during Christmas time and offer gifts, presents and snacks to the have-nots.

She said that gradually, the number of children multiplied and the need for a bigger sports ground emerged. About 25 years ago, the then IG B M Shukla extended his help by offering the police ground for the purpose.

Ever since, others followed suit to help make the children happy during the Christmas time. Regardless of caste, creed or colour people came forward to reach out to these children, Iyengar added.

She said the flame of Christmas love, joy and happiness kept on burning every year, keeping Mother Teresa’s vision and hope alive. What she started is still going on, though at times this Christmas sports event took a high tide or low ebb in its style and color of celebrations.